So long food pyramid, hello plate

It apparently took quite some time and several presidential administrations for this eureka moment: People eat off plates, not pyramids.

And so it came to be Thursday morning that the federal government officially announced that it was ditching the food pyramid for a plate.

It’s also round and colorful. Could be a pie. Mmmm, pie.

Just a sliver okay, Mrs. Obama? And ice cream? Well, if you insist.

But no, that’s not what our federal government had in mind.

First Lady Michelle Obama and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack introduced the new plate to the nation.

Here’s what they had to say in a statement:

“This is a quick, simple reminder for all of us to be more mindful of the foods that we’re eating and as a mom, I can already tell how much this is going to help parents across the country,” said First Lady Michelle Obama. “When mom or dad comes home from a long day of work, we’re already asked to be a chef, a referee, a cleaning crew. So it’s tough to be a nutritionist, too. But we do have time to take a look at our kids’ plates. As long as they’re half full of fruits and vegetables, and paired with lean proteins, whole grains and low-fat dairy, we’re golden. That’s how easy it is.”

“With so many food options available to consumers, it is often difficult to determine the best foods to put on our plates when building a healthy meal,” said Secretary Vilsack. “MyPlate is an uncomplicated symbol to help remind people to think about their food choices in order to lead healthier lifestyles. This effort is about more than just giving information, it is a matter of making people understand there are options and practical ways to apply them to their daily lives.”

So the plate may be new, but the advice is old: Eat your vegetables. Consume fruit. Make your protein lean and your grains whole.